Egypt
- 1 day ago
- 12 min read
You've probably heard so much about Egypt. This is a controversial destination: Here are my guide and tips to make the most of this wonderful journey. Destinations in Egypt, how to get around safely, where to stay, what to do.
Egypt is home to one of the most important pieces of ancient history and civilization. Everyone wants to see the pyramids and the sphinx. Given the amount of missing information about what traveling to Egypt actually takes, I will explain to the best of my knowledge and experience how to plan this trip accordingly.
The first thing you have to keep in mind is that you are going to experience a complete different culture, and because you are a visitor whether you like it or not, whether you agree with their rules or not, out of respect, you should follow them. A lot of people talk about their negative experiences in Egypt, and it is usually because proper research wasn't done or the right information wasn't our there.
Let's start with the basics.
What to wear in Egypt?
This is mostly a Muslim country, that means that local women cover their entire bodies. They do this when they get inside the pool as well, and at the beach too. As a foreigner if you do not want to cover your entire body when by the beach or by the pool, and you don't want to get stares, you need to book a hotel that either is from an American chain, or either is very touristy, where the locals that live within the country don't go, and where you will find tourists that will be wearing a regular bathing suit. When you walk on the streets, eating at a restaurant, or visit a site make sure to cover knees and shoulders. If you are willing to carry a scarf with you to put on top of your tank top when needed, that will be perfect. Around the pyramids there are many tourists wearing mini shorts and tops with a lot of cleavage. This is disrespectful and they get stared and said things.
Beware:
Vendors usually approach with their products or hook you with a conversation that very commonly starts with a "Where are you from?" If you are not interested just keep walking and ignore them. They can be extremely insisting, in a way that can even be a little bit overwhelming. People at sites, knowing that it is a tourist attraction, will force their help on you "Let me open the door for you" "Let me take a picture for you," and then demand money afterwards in a very aggressive way. Please don't accept the help, ignore them. Even people who work at the sites making sure tourists don't touch walls and protecting the ruins do this themselves which can be annoying. That said, you are the one who needs to adapt, they won't adapt to you. Remember, don't answer, just ignore them.
I will list three destinations in Egypt:
Cairo, Alexandria, and Luxor.
How to use Uber in Egypt?
This is pure honesty and by all means, don't let the honesty discourage you. This will allow you to have the right expectations. Using Uber in Egypt is another negotiation, right when you thought using the app would be easy. This is what happens: when you call an Uber they will ask you to pay cash. Why? because on this way they can negotiate the price. They always do. If you request a ride not paying cash it will likely not arrive or take ages, or they will ask you to pay cash on top of the credit card payment. They will stop a block from where you are and message you asking for more money, otherwise they are not picking you up. This happened to me during every single ride except to go to the airport and back. If you hear people recommending to use Careem, the local car ride app, please spare yourself of a bad moment. Unfortunately the drivers are more likely not to speak english, and if you don't speak Arabic either, forget about instructions or understanding when they ask you for more money or tip on the spot. Public transportation is not a thing, so Uber is the primary way to get around Egypt for tourists. Make sure you know the currency to know how much they are asking you and feel free to set an amount that you are comfortable with. Uber also takes a long time to find a driver so make sure you do this thrity minutes before the intended time of departure.
Cairo
Where to stay in Cairo?
I suggest the Fairmont Hotel because I stayed there but anything in the same category and whereabouts would be good still. The neighborhood wasn't precisely great and as a woman that belongs to a different culture and doesn't speak Arabic, I didn't walk by myself around. Please understand the demographics in Egypt before you go. Unfortunatately they live with a huge sracity of resources, this is very visible and no matter where you stay in cairo you will see it at all times if you step out of your hotel or even if you look through your hotel window. This is part of our world and part of traveling is getting to know how other people have to live.
What to do in Cairo?
Giza Pyramids and Sphinx
Seeing the site for first time feels unreal. It is really something out of film. It is one of those things that makes you wonder so deeply about all the details of its existence. Exploring this site takes longer than you might think and it is bigger than expected. A guide previously hired is key to know where to go, and make the most of your visit. I recommend Orascom, the same site developer. For less than a hundred dollars per person they offer a private tour, snacks and driver included. The guide will take you to your pyramid of choice and tell you about the history. Please contact them to this email: reservations@orascompe.com
Entering the Pyramids:
All you need to know about entering the Pyramids.
I chose to enter Khufu, the biggest of the three. You will find out a lot of information if you go with a guide but if not, here is a little bit about Khufu and the Pyramids. There are many stories based on what was recovered and some guides will tell you the pyramids where actually a distraction for robbers, since the pharaos burial site is actually Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens. While others will tell you the remains where placed in a subterranean chamber underneath the pyramids. However, the remains of the pharaos where never found, presumably robbed durng the ancient times, although there is no solid evidence.
Now that you know that, let's continue with entering the pyramids. Even as a ticket holder you have to line up to enter because the passage to access is extremly narrow and steep. Nine a.m shouldn't be a problem in terms of waiting and because the heat is very intense your guide will always recommend the early morning. At the entrance of the pyramid there is a man who scans your ticket. there is a narrow passage carved through the rock, and a few feet away, there is an even narrower path that goes all the way up, where tiny steps and rails where built to help you go up. Now, this path is a two way traffic one, so while you go up thinking you feel tight, you will have to make yourself smaller when someone comes down. The air quality inside it is not good, and you will feel how you heart starts pounding. It is very hot and humid inside the pyramid and soon you will start dropping sweat. Going all the way to the top of the pyramid takes about five minutes. The room on the top is very small and you will be able to see a granite sarcophagus, exaclty how it was found when the Pyramid was first entered. Empty. Exiting takes other five minutes so the whole thing shouldn't take over fifteen minutes at most. It is a one in a lifetime experience so I would say it's worth it even with the aforementioned obstacles exist, this is something you will always remember, and the effort makes it even more exciting.
Sunset Boat on The Nile River:
Dahabiya is the company I recommend to do a sunset boat in The Nile River and this is their contact information reserve@dahabiyacairo.com
The ride is about two hours and the departure is extremly punctual so make sure you are there at leats five minutes early. On the boat there is food and drinks. You do not have to choose the dinner option if you don't want to eat on board. The drinks are non alcoholic. At the time the cost of this activity was about $20 per person with drinks included. There is live music at the beggining and at the end of the ride and it is very enjoyable.
I was contacted by the company to pay in advance if I wanted to do the dinner on board and just to avoid any issues I chose not to give my credit card information, they completely understood and there was no issue with it since we didn't want to have dinner on the boat anyways.
Market:
Going to the market is a good exposure to the culture as a lot is happening at the same time. If you enjoy this when exploring another country and find charm in a bit of chaos I recommend. If you tend to feel overwhelmed and despise the bargain just do not force yourself to go. I understand that my job is to encourage you, as a traveler, to get out of your comfort zone and open, BUT Cairo is a very particular place and it wouldn't be honest of me to avoid mentioning it.
I had a marked target in Cairo, and that was to see the pyramids, a museum was being built right next to them, and hopefully is open now for you to explore. I am aware that there are many things to do in Cairo but to keep being honest if this is your first time keep it brief. Handle it in little bites. Don't take more than you can handle, it will tint your experience in a negative way and the idea is that you make the most of it. The culture shock was too much for me, and I am a very well traveled female who has visited solo many countries in the world. That said, each person experiences it in a different way because we all feel differently, but then don't say you weren't warned, and please don't say Egypt is not a good place to visit. Done in the right way it is an incredible place in the world to discover!
Alexandria
Where to stay in Alexandria?
I didn't stay at the Four Seasons but hungout there and wish I had. From my most honest experience, staying in a chain of hotels that attracts foreigners is better if you are a first time visitor and don't have a bathing suit that will cover your entire body (from a woman's perspective, as men are allowed to wear a normal swimsuit and no shirt of course). If uou chose this hotel book it as far in advance as you can since closer to the date becomes more expensive.
How to get to Alexandria from Cairo?
Hire a private driver. Here is the link to the driver I used. He was really fast and efficient. The car is not what you see on the picture but it is just a normal, average vehicle.
What to do in Alexandria?
I had a pit stop in Alexandria for a wedding, but here are a couple of things to do. As I mentioned before, big cities need to be explored in bits. Egypt is a place that requieres to ve visited a few times throughout your life. I know what you are thinking now: If I came this far, I would rather do it all at once. That's your first mistake. It will make your experience unpleasent.
Alexandria's Library:
Nowadays this is a very modern building with high celinigs and technology.
Lighthouse:
Even though the original structure collapsed, nowadays in its place the Qaitbay Citadel can be visited.
Boat:
You can book a boat ride along the coastline and have a nice sunset time. Just remeber that generally these boats don't have alcoholic refresments as a liquor license is very expensive and the culture and religion don't support alcohol consumption.
Four seasons bar and restaurant by the beach:
Go all the way to the main entrance of the Four Seasons Hotel and once inside ask for the tunnel that goes to the beach. It is the safest and easiest way to get there. The bar is simply stunning, the beach is gorgeous and you won't have to cover your entire body here. They sell alcohol and the food is delicious. If you do a beach day make sure to id in that very same beach.
Luxor
Luxor is my favorite in Egypt. Much more quieter than the other cities, this place is made for pleasure, leisure and appreciation.
Where to stay in Luxor?
Al Moudira Hotel. This complex has it all. A spa, a few pools to choose from. A few restaurants to choose from. Tours of all kinds, and a beautiful shop.
Through this hotel we hired the tours through Valley of the Queens an Valley of The Kings, that included a private driver and a tour guide along with refreshments.
What to do and see in Luxor?
Hot Air Balloon Ride:
Once in a lifetime experience. This is a core memory. Waking up at four a.m to get picked up and taken to the field where the balloons are getting ready. Going up in perfect timing to see the sunrise while you are up in the air over the Valley of the Queens.
Where to book?
They will pick you up from your hotel and drop you off. Pick up time varies according to sunrise time, mine was at 4.30 a.m. More people get picked up alog the way and then finally take you to the field where they will be preparing the balloons. You will be able to see the whole process. It will take about fourty five minutes until the balloon is ready and all the people is on the field. The ride is about one hour and it is so smooth. Sixteen people can fit in one big basket separated into smaller sections. About 7 a.m or so you will land back and they will take you to your hotel but remember they are dropping other people off along the way and it could take some time.
Valley of the Queens:
Where queens, wives, princesses and princes were buried, among people of other ranks. The Queen nefertari is buried here and you can see her tomb. To visit her tomb there is a ticket sold apart.
Hatshepsut's Temple:
With a few floors to explore this morturay temple built by a female pharaoh stands in the middle of the desert full of marvel. Here be cautios about people who work at the site as they will follow you everywheere offering to take pictures for you or with them and charge you afterwards. Just ignore them.
Valley of the Kings:
Huge mountain where all the kings are buried. You can see the famous King Tut tomb here. His Tomb is very small compared to others and this is according to history because but he is famus for being the mommy found most intact with all of his belongings inside it.
Pharaos started building their own tombs very early on and throughout their lives. All this built underneath and deep inside the mountain. The largest tomb has 120 rooms and is stilll under excavation.
Tickets can be purchased at site. Make sure you purchase you ticket to enter the King's Tut tomb as well as this is sold apart as well as other tombs.
Luxor Temple:
Located on the East bank of river nile. Dedicated to worship three main Gods, also known as the Theban Triad, used for coronations and the Opet festvival. I went to the temple by myself, using Uber. As soon as you are seen entering without a tour guide you will be approached by several people offering you a tour for some money and it is up to you to do it or not. There are no plaques nor display of information so it will be hard for you to understand what's what, who built the temple and what for, what did they do on it, etcetera, etcetera. I didn't hire a tour guide, so I did my research before and after my visit.
Karnak Temple:
I also explored Karnak temple by myself. It is all a series of temples connected to each other. This was considered the most important rituals and worship temple. During the Opet festival there was a procession and they would carry the statues of the Theban Triad, Amun-Re, his wife and his son, from Karnak to Luxor. The East of the Nile river was dedicated to worshiping and rituals related to celebrate life and pharaos. While the West Bank, where the sun sets or dies, was dedicated to everything related to the afterlife. Hence the gravesites.
Tickets here:
Leisure Time:
Some quiet time by the pool, enjoying the cold refreshing water, and cocktails during the afternoon when the heat peaks. The best time to visit all the archeological sites in Egypt will always be the morning and this is when the tour company you hire, if you do, will advise to go. That means the afternoon is always dedicated to have lunch and to enjoy yourself.
Hope you have the best time in Egypt and that this guide answered all of your questions!
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